Northgate Mall Hosts National Program to Prevent Flu

The goal of this partnership effort in shopping malls across the U.S. is to reduce the risk of serious illness or death from influenza during the peak flu season. According to reports issued by the CDC Influenza Division*, influenza peaked nationally during the 2010 - 2011 influenza season in February 2011. In addition, during the same time period, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza exceeded epidemic numbers through April 2011.

On February 18^th, Rite Aid will provide licensed staff to administer the immunizations in the Macy's wing at Northgate. Visit the 'Events' section at ShopAtNorthgate.com for pricing and insurance details.

The CDC* encourages people to get vaccinated throughout the flu season, which lasts as late as May. According to the CDC, over the course of the flu season, many different influenza viruses can circulate at different times and in different places. As long as flu viruses are still spreading in the community, vaccination can provide protective benefit.

According to the CDC, it is important that the following groups get vaccinated:

• Pregnant women

• Children younger than five years old, but especially children younger than two years old

• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications for the flu; and household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than six months of age, since these children are too young to be vaccinated.

*For more information about the flu immunization program visit Enter Mall Website; for influenza guidelines visit www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccinesafety.htm